I wouldn’t be stunned if Pirate Adventure returns next year or in 2025. Should Pirate Adventure reopen in 2025 Drayton Manor could make a big deal of it. Pirate Adventure will have been closed for an entire decade. Drayton could state the Pirates have returned after a decades voyage. The Looping Group reopened the Rapids after half a decade so I have hope for Pirate Adventure. In my opinion Pirate Adventure has more chance of returning now The Looping Group own Drayton Manor. If the Bryan’s still owned Drayton Manor I would’ve said Pirate Adventure is assigned to history. I believe that if the Bryan’s were involved Pirate Adventure would have been consumed by Thomas Land or bulldozed for a Rollercoaster. The Looping Group want to reimagine and revive old favourites while the Bryan’s preferred to build new rides. If/when Pirate Adventure returns Drayton will be swamped with popularity. Pirate Adventure being SBNO is the only hurdle preventing Drayton Manor from rivalling Europa Park in Germany.
Pirate Adventure
- Thread starter Harry
- Start date
This ride will never reopen ever due too the building being mostly broken and a lot of the boats were abandoned or scrapped and the props were also sold
Elise
Administrator
This wouldn't happen either I'm afraid.
ThomasLand will most likely remain where it is and any expansion will be more to the left of the area near submarine splash / the airport.
The area is nicely housed and framed mostly so wouldn't branch further out from that into the main park too much further than it already is.
Look the looping group is sorting out every area of the park and after the 2024 coaster and rumoured new flat ride for 2025 they will be looking at 2026 to 2030 investments.
This could be a good idea as a replacement
A good mix of set pieces and projectors.
This could be a good idea as a replacement
That looks nice. And better than pirates adventure
I think the fact Pirate Adventure has been having maintenance all year is pointing to a return next season. The Looping Group do invest in multiple rides in one season, In 2021 The Rapids reopened alongside a new Waveswinger,Play Are,refurbished Stormforce 10,Malestrom and Cafe. Last year an entire new Vikings area and remodelled Buffalo Rollercoaster opened. With these projects in mind it’s a realistic conc that Pirate Adventure could reopen in addition to the new Rollercoaster.
It’s true that they do however those rides mentioned were incorporated into those themed areas to aid the development of that area. With pirates it’s too far down from the location. In Addition with how much popularity pirates has and how it’s still mentioned by people tagging the park on the app that is twitter (I refuse to call it x) I think the park would be foolish to reopen the building along side the new roller coaster. From a business aspect , if they was planning to reopen pirates , they would be able to capitalise on it better if they opened it when addressing the mid section of the park as the pirates is not themed aswell and needs updating if they was to keep the pirate theme due to the current operating rides.
The only reason it's having maintenance is because if the building being a storage area
I'd still not want screens/projections in a Pirate Adventure 2.0 situation. Look at Piraten in Batavia for example. Sure it had a couple of screens and projections, but the scenes without them are just stellar!
Elise
Administrator
Agreed, practical effects and animatronics are what I would prefer. Never a huge fan of too many screens/ projections as it takes away from the experience for me.
Right let’s say the building been passed off to reused with guests but the ride system and adding more fire exits/places to stop the boats in an emergency is not cost efficient.
How about this new system?
It could be themed to a pirate ship and with it been low to the ground make it look like it’s on water with the use of projectors and you have a mixture of screens and set pieces.
How about this new system?
As cool as that ride system looks, I personally think you just can't beat a boat ride system when it comes to pirate themed attractions. I mean, if Drayton are willing to take down some of the zoo for a dark ride with that ride system based on touring a jungle, count me in!
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Reminds me a bit of the old cable cars. Personally I think this is a good idea but boats would just overall be much better.
Elise
Administrator
The boat's were great on the ride and if they ever re opened it it would be boats
I did say if the original ride system couldn’t be reused and was cheaper to use a new ride system.
I agree
The building has had work. Very different from the ride having work.
If they were planning on re opening the ride, given the size and scale, work would be well underway. There would be lots of evidence of this around the back, in general door ways etc, lots of construction vans and whatnot, of which there is non.
It is not coming back for next year, I can tell you with certainty. You not need to believe me, just wait and see.
That wall not been seen by the public since 2007 as the Thomas land toilets were built in front of them.
